Longtime Sharon High baseball coach Joe Peckham had stated in prior years that 2014 would be his final season coaching.

He also said at the beginning of this season that he would decide following the campaign whether to return. Recently, Peckham said that he intends to coach again next spring.

"Iím definitely coaching next year, as long as Iím allowed to," Peckham said. "Iím not ready to give it up; I still enjoy coaching. I like the kids who I work with. I feel like I do a lot of positive things, am still on top of my game, and have a lot to offer.

"Iím not an egomaniac, but I think my knowledge of baseball and my ability to teach it is still at a point where I feel I should be around. I think I should do it. I have a great assistant coach [pitching coach Kee Arguimbau]; the two of us make a great team."

Next year would be Peckhamís 43rd at the helm of the Sharon baseball program. Peckham coached the squad from 1965-1967 before stepping down to earn his masterís degree in counseling. He reclaimed the head coaching position in 1975, which he has held uninterrupted to date.

Peckham, who will be 74 when the 2015 season rolls around, noted that this year two of his former players watched their sons play for the same coach - Eric Ginsberg (father of Will) and Paul Shaffer (father of Matt) were members of Peckhamís teams in the 1970s and 80s.

"Iím looking forward to next year," Peckham said, "Thereís never a day when I go to practice without a smile on my face; Iím glad to be there. I still enjoy the games, the competitive part of it.

"Iíve got to make that decision [to retire from coaching] at some point. Probably this will be it, next year. Next year is next year, and then Iíll make up my mind [at the end of the 2015 season]."